Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan sues motel known for prostitution

Community report

Published 3:10 am, Thursday, May 16, 2013

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A recent undercover operation at the motel has led Harris County Attorney Vince to seek a temporary injunction to stop the criminal activity occurring at the Plainfield Inn, located at 9638 Plainfield, off Interstate 59 and Bissonnet. less

A recent undercover operation at the motel has led Harris County Attorney Vince to seek a temporary injunction to stop the criminal activity occurring at the Plainfield Inn, located at 9638 Plainfield, off ... more

Photo: Submitted Photo

Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan sues motel known for prostitution

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Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan, working with the Sharpstown Management District, filed suit this week against a notorious Sharpstown motel known nationally as a place where prostitutes take their customers after they “walk the track” in front of the motel.

Ryan is seeking a temporary injunction to stop the criminal activity occurring at the Plainfield Inn, located at 9638 Plainfield, off Interstate 59 and Bissonnet.

Recently the Houston Police Department arrested about 50 prostitutes, some whom are minors, along Bissonnet at Plainfield. The Houston Police department said the area is known nationwide as “The Track,” where prostitutes can be found in Houston.

Between April 2011 and April 2013, the Houston Police Department received more than 400 calls for service at the Plainfield Inn. During that time period, there were at least 28 reported violent crimes and illegal narcotic offenses, including multiple aggravated robberies, aggravated assaults, compelling prostitution, and possession and delivery of cocaine. Some of the complainants, victims and those arrested listed the Plainfield Inn as their home address.

Houston Police report that many of the aggravated assaults, aggravated robberies and illegal drug offenses occurring at the motel are between the prostitutes and their pimps or johns.

Ryan is asking the court to order the owner of the motel, Virani & Manav, L.L.C., to hire uniformed officers to patrol all areas of the motel, limit entrance into the parking lot to motel guests and their visitors, install surveillance cameras, eliminate hourly room rentals and condom machines, limit the length of stay, and establish strict check-in procedures for motel guests. The injunction also asks that the owners post signs of a toll-free number for victims of human trafficking.

The lawsuit was filed as part of a joint effort on the part of Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan and the Greater Sharpstown Management District to abate nuisances in the Sharpstown district. Since the program was initiated, three after-hours clubs have shut down, a receiver has been appointed over a gang-infested condominium complex, two convenience stores are under a permanent injunction, several businesses are under temporary injunctions awaiting trial, and a trial is scheduled for May 28th against at least a dozen members of the notorious street gangs known as the “Bloods” and the “Crips.”